EDFL: Has Keilor gone to another level in 2024?

Keilor brushed aside a premiership challenger by 133 points and now the question is being posed if the Blues are better in 2024. Mick McGuane opens up on his side’s form, the gun players and a key injury.

Kane Barbuto celebrates a goal. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

Are Keilor a better team in 2024?

It’s a question worth asking after the opening six rounds of the Essendon District Football League Premier Division season.

Keilor didn’t lose a game on route to its 2023 premiership and have been in ominous form to start this year.

The suggestion the Mick McGuane Blues are a stronger side only grew on Saturday after a 22.14 (146) to 1.7 (13) thumping of Pascoe Vale at Raeburn Reserve.

Pascoe Vale, who many had predicted in pre-season to be Keilor’s biggest challenger, kicked just a solitary behind after half-time.

“We want to be balanced in our offence and defence so we want to master both sides of the ball which we certainly did on the weekend,” McGuane said.

“We don’t put a higher premium on one or the other and the outcomes of that nature. When you do it get to that effect, we do it well.

“On the weekend, we got exactly what we wanted on those two phases of the games.”

Keilor coach Mick McGuane. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

After the first quarter, the game was shaping to be a thriller with just three points separating the two sides.

Keilor then went bang with eight goals and never looked back.

“We made some structural changes in front of the ball and we seemed to score quickly on the back of that,” McGuane said.

“We opened the game up and we sold the message to our players at half time they would respond.

“Our boys saw up to the challenge and kept the foot on the throat. A comprehensive performance against a very good outfit.”

Nathan Colenso was Keilor’s best player on the day and McGuane had strong praise for his VFL listed gun.

“He was slow on Good Friday (against Strathmore) but he got to work after that,” he said.

“We hope he does get picked at Williamstown in the not too distant future, he’s knocking the door down.

“They’re winning so he understands that if he’s ready for a call up, he’s got to be in good form, which is he.”

Keilor ran out big winners. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

While the Blues were dominant in their victory, especially in the middle of the ground, it did come at a loss with Nick O’Kearney suffering an arm injury.

Corey Ellis and Josh Honey stepped up in his absence.

“We threw Corey Ellis in the middle of the ground to compliment Josh Honey’s poise and power.

“Batman and Robin in a way.

“You throw O’Kearney into that mix. It was bittersweet because it looks like Nico has got a fracture in his arm, that’s a disappointing outcome.

“He’ll go under the knife this week to fix it and hopefully he’ll be back in four to six weeks, maybe seven who knows. We’ll get him back for the pointy end, he’s so important for us, so we’ll wrap our arms around him.”

Nathan Colenso was best afield. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

Meanwhile, Harvey Wilkes continued his impressive form after biding his time in the reserves in recent seasons.

He kicked a goal in the big win.

“He’s been good, we’ve always earmarked him for a potential role up forward,” McGuane said.

“He just had to be patient for his opportunity, he’s certainly done the work which is required to be in the frame when the opportunity presents.

“He snaps into defensive transition pretty quickly, he’s got an intent to tackle and chase. He’s got speed to uphold that mantra.

“His set shot goal kicking is quite reliable.”

Keilor will next take on East Keilor.